Aerosol paint compositions

ABSTRACT

A solvent-based (non-aqueous) aerosol paint containing dimethyl ether as solvent or solvent and propellant and a film-forming paint resin formulation is disclosed.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 304,573 filed Jan. 31, 1989, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 144,581 filed Dec. 30, 1987, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 893,881 filed Aug. 6, 1986 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to solvent-based (non-aqueous) aerosol paints containing dimethyl ether as solvent or solvent and propellant.

A solvent-based aerosol paint contains both a propellant and a film-forming paint resin formulation. Most commercial solvent-based aerosol paints contain mixtures of low molecular weight hydrocarbons as the propellant; most commonly, a blend of propane and isobutane is used. A paint resin formulation generally contains a paint resin(s), pigments, diluting and coalescing or film-forming solvents, and various additives, such as drying agents, thickeners, surfactants, antiskinning agents, plasticizers, mildewcides, mar-resistant agents, antiflooding agents, etc.

To form a uniform, smooth coating when a solvent-based aerosol paint is applied to a surface and allowed to dry, the paint resin(s) in the paint must be in a single phase with the solvents and propellant during application. The propellant can also function as a solvent in the paint. The other ingredients in the paint resin formulation, i.e., pigments and additives, may be dispersed or suspended in the paint; however, it is important that the paint resin(s) be in solution for satisfactory application of paints to substrates.

The low molecular weight hydrocarbon propellants are quite poor solvents for many paint resins and additional relatively powerful solvents are required in commercial aerosol paints as components of the diluting and coalescing or film-forming solvents in order to solubilize these resins. The solvents commonly used in solvent-based aerosol paints for solubilization of the paint resins are aromatic compounds such as toluene or xylene, various ethylene glycol ethers and methylene chloride. These compounds are good solvents and produce excellent solvent-based aerosol paints.

A problem with the use of these solvents, however, is their potential toxicity to humans when exposure results during normal use or when deliberate abuse occurs (inhalation). In many instances, the ethylene glycol ethers are being replaced in aerosol paints with the safer propylene glycol ether solvents. However, great difficulty has been experienced in finding good substitutes for the aromatic solvents and methylene chloride and special handling, storage and application procedures may be required in the near future when using aerosol paints which contain these solvents.

The introduction of dimethyl ether (DME) as an aerosol propellant has provided the opportunity to formulate attractive, low-toxicity solvent-based (non-aqueous) aerosol paints without requiring the use of toxic aromatic solvents or methylene chloride.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A solvent-based aerosol paint has been discovered comprising an effective amount of DME as a solvent or solvent and propellant and a non-aqueous paint resin formulation which contains a paint resin(s) which without dimethyl ether would require the use of a powerful solvent to solubilize the paint resin(s) when a blend of low-molecular weight hydrocarbons is the only propellant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the present invention, DME has been found to be unexpectedly useful as the solvent or solvent and propellant in a non-aqueous aerosol paint by providing to the paint sufficient solubility characteristics to ensure that the resin/solvent/propellant system will be a single phase. DME provides the means for achieving this necessary aim without the need for the incorporation of aromatic solvents such as toluene and xylene or methylene chloride which are needed to solubilize many paint resins in hydrocarbon-propelled paints. Without the resin(s) being soluble in the solvent/propellant portion of the paint, satisfactory paint films on substrates are not possible.

By solvent-based aerosol paint is meant a non-aqueous paint capable of being applied to a surface from an aerosol container which contains both a propellant and a paint resin formulation. A paint resin formulation generally contains a paint resin(s), pigments, diluting and coalescing or film-forming solvents, and various additives, such as drying agents, thickeners, surfactants, antiskinning agents, plasticizers, mildewcides, mar-resistant agents, antiflooding agents, etc.

By paint resin is meant a polymeric material which is soluble in the paint resin/solvent/propellant system to produce a non-aqueous solution which can be sprayed satisfactorily from an aerosol can and which upon drying provides a flexible, durable, non-tacky film of the desired gloss.

By effective amount of DME is meant an amount of DME which causes the paint resin(s), any other solvents and propellants present, and the DME to form a single phase system in a non-aqueous solvent-based aerosol paint.

By powerful solvent is meant a liquid or mixture of liquids which has a Kauri-Butanol No. of about 90 or greater or which will cause a single phase system of the solvent(s), the paint resin(s), and the propellant to be formed when a mixture of low-molecular weight hydrocarbons is used as the only propellant in a solvent-based aerosol paint. Examples of these solvents are aromatic compounds such as toluene or xylene, various ethylene glycol ethers and methylene chloride.

By low-molecular weight hydrocarbons is meant aliphatic hydrocarbons containing one to six carbon atoms and mixtures thereof. Most commonly in the United States, the term hydrocarbon propellant is used to describe blends of propane and isobutane. Mixtures of hydrocarbons exert partial vapor pressures which, in accordance with the ideal gas laws, are dependent upon their mole fraction contents of a particular mixture.

Examples of paint resins for which DME has been found to be unexpectedly useful as a solvent or solvent and propellant are styrene-modified alkyd resins, vinyl toluene-modified alkyd resins, acrylic-modified alkyd resins, phenol-formaldehyde/rosin-modified alkyd resins, silicone-modified alkyd resins, short-oil and oil-free alkyd resins, chain-stopped alkyd resins, nitrocellulose resins, silicone resins, and acrylic resins. This list is not meant to be exhaustive or limiting and other resins which are soluble in DME and which without DME would require the use of powerful solvents to solubilize them in solvent-based aerosol paints when low-molecular weight hydrocarbons are the only propellants are intended to be included in this invention.

It is surprising and unexpected that DME should be such a good solvent for the paint resins of this invention. The Kauri-Butanol No. is an indication of the relative solvent power of a particular liquid; the higher the Kauri Butanol No. the better the solvency of the product. The Kauri Butanol No. for DME in 60; whereas the Kauri Butanol Nos. for toluene and methylene chloride are 105 and 136, respectively. With this large difference between solubility numbers, one would expect DME to be less effective as a solvent for these paint resins than aromatic solvents and methylene chloride when they are used with hydrocarbon propellants in solvent-based aerosol paints.

It is not a requirement of the invention that DME be the only propellant in the aerosol paint. DME performs satisfactorily in conjunction with fluorocarbons such as difluorochloromethane (FC-22) and hydrocarbons. Thus, the FC-22/DME azeotrope containing 40 wt. percent FC-22 and 60 wt. percent DME functions well as an aerosol paint propellant while allowing the DME to provide both propellancy and solvency benefits. Simularly, DME can be used with hydrocarbons such as A-70 (about 41.9 wt. percent propane and 58.1 wt. percent isobutane with a vapor pressure of 70 psig at 70 degrees Fahrenheit) in various ratios. For example, a blend of 60 wt. percent DME and 40 wt. percent A-70 provides excellent and economical paint resin solubility.

An additional important part of this invention is the property of DME to allow the incorporation of solvent components which reduce the flammability of aerosol paints. Thus, methyl chloroform can be used with DME to reduce the flammability hazard of non-aqueous aerosol paints in use and particularly during warehouse storage. As an additional example, the incorporation of FC-22 in aerosol paints reduces their flammability since FC-22 is a non-flammable propellant.

In the aerosol paint of this invention, the DME may be present in an amount of about 10-60 wt. percent, preferrably about 15-45 wt. percent, and more preferrably about 18-45 wt. percent. The paint resin(s) may be present in an amount of about 5-30 wt. percent, preferrably about 7.5-15 wt. percent. In addition to DME, other propellants such as FC-22 or A-70 may be present in the paint in an amount of about 5-30 wt. percent, preferrably about 10-20 wt. percent. Also, in addition to DME, methyl chloroform can be present in an amount of about 10-60 wt. percent, preferrably about 20 to 40 wt. percent. Other ingredients such as pigments, surfactants, thickeners, driers, antiskinning agents, plasticizers, mildewcides, solvents such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether, VM and P naphtha, esters, alcohols, ketones and mineral spirits, and solvents which are incidental to both the paint resin(s) and other paint constituents to facilitate their handling may be included to complete the aerosol paint.

If DME is the only propellant present in the solvent-based aerosol paint of this invention, the DME may be present in an amount of about 25-45 wt. percent based on the total weight of the aerosol paint.

A particularly preferred paint according to the present invention is:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient             Wt. %                                                   ______________________________________                                         Organic Red Pigment.sup.1                                                                             10.0                                                    Vinyl Toluene-modified 15.0                                                    Alkyd Resin.sup.2                                                              Methyl Chloroform      29.5                                                    PGME                   10.0                                                    Surfactant.sup.3        0.5                                                    DME                    35.0                                                    Vapor Pressure at 70° F., 37 PSIG                                       ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 "Tint Ayd" ST8673 (as purchased)                                        .sup.2 "Styresol" 13040 (as purchased)                                         .sup.3 "Disperse Ayd" #1 (as purchased)                                  

The following examples will help to illustrate the practice of the present invention.

EXAMPLES Solubility Tests

Solubility tests were conducted in 4 oz. plastic coated, glass pressure bottles. In these tests, the resin and solvents were combined in the pressure bottle and the aerosol valve was attached or crimped. Prior to attaching the valve, the bottle was purged of air with the propellant to be used in the solubility test. The propellant was introduced into the bottle as a liquid through the aerosol valve. Volume amounts corresponding to the weights of the propellants were calculated prior to loading, and a glass, calibrated pressure buret was used to measure and transfer the liquids from storage cylinders to the bottle. A nitrogen gas pressure of 100 psig was applied to the buret to aid in transferring the liquids from the buret to the bottle. After the propellant was loaded, the bottle was weighed and the weight of propellant recorded.

The solubility of the resin in the solvent/propellant system was visually determined by inspecting the pressure bottle for precipitated resin. If the contents of the pressure bottle were clear, the resin was determined to be soluble. Any sediment or precipitate resulted in a rating of insoluble.

Paint Tests

Paint samples were prepared in 3-piece lined 6 oz. aerosol can with Newman Green R-10-123 Valves (0.013 vapor tap and 120-20-18 actuator). The procedure for loading the samples into aerosol cans was the same as for the resin solubility tests, except glass agitating balls were placed in the cans to facilitate dispersion of pigments and other insolubles prior to spraying. The quality of the paints, as coatings, was determined by application to standard paint cards.

Chemicals Used in Tests

The following tables list the chemicals which were used in the above described tests.

    ______________________________________                                         Solvents                                                                       Designation Structure/Properties                                                                            Source                                            ______________________________________                                         UCAR PM Solvent                                                                            Propylene glycol Union Carbide                                                 monomethyl ether Corp.                                                         (PGME)                                                             UCAR PM Acetate                                                                            Propylene glycol Union Carbide                                                 monomethyl ether Corp.                                                         acetate (PGMEA)                                                    VM and P Naphtha                                                                           52° F. flash point                                                                       --                                                            (TCC)                                                              Mineral Spirits                                                                            10°  F. flash point                                                                      --                                                            (TCC)                                                              "Aerothene" TT                                                                             Methyl chloroform                                                                               Dow Chemical                                                                   Co.                                               DBE         Mixture of dimethyl                                                                             Du Pont Co.                                                   adipate, glutarate                                                             and succinate                                                      ______________________________________                                         Pigments                                                                       Designation*         Color                                                     ______________________________________                                         "Tint Ayd" ST-8673   Deep Organic                                                                   Red                                                       "Tint Ayd" ST-8317   Tinting Black                                             "Tint Ayd" ST-8451   Light Lemon                                                                    (Yellow)                                                  "Tint Ayd" ST-8703   Phthalo Green                                             "Tint Ayd" ST-8003   Titanium                                                                       Dioxide                                                                        (White)                                                   "Tint Ayd" ST-8298   Phthalo Blue                                              "Tint Ayd" ST-8610   Red Oxide                                                 ______________________________________                                          *Daniel Products Company                                                 

    Resins                                                                         Designation Composition      Source                                            ______________________________________                                         "Beckosol" 10-001                                                                          Phenol-formaldehyde/                                                                            Reichhold                                                     rosin-modified alkyd                                                                            Chemicals,                                                    (50% AI in mineral                                                                              Inc.                                                          spirits)                                                           "Beckosol" 10-638                                                                          Silicone-modified alkyd                                                                         Reichhold                                                     (60% AI in mineral                                                                              Chemicals,                                                    spirits)         Inc.                                              "Beckosol" 12-005                                                                          Short-oil alkyd  Reichhold                                                     (50% AI in Xylene)                                                                              Chemicals,                                                                     Inc.                                              "Beckosol" 12-101                                                                          Chain-stopped alkyd                                                                             Reichhold                                                     (50% AI in Xylene)                                                                              Chemicals,                                                                     Inc.                                              "Styresol" 13-031                                                                          Styrene-modified alkyd                                                                          Reichhold                                                     (50% AI in Xylene)                                                                              Chemicals,                                                                     Inc.                                              "Styresol" 13-040                                                                          Vinyl toluene-modified                                                                          Reichhold                                                     alkyd (50% AI in VM and                                                                         Chemicals,                                                    P Naphtha)       Inc.                                              "Lustrasol" 13-046                                                                         Acrylic-modified alkyd                                                                          Reichhold                                                     (50% AI in Xylene)                                                                              Chemicals,                                                                     Inc.                                              "Elvacite" 2016                                                                            Acrylic (100% AI)                                                                               DuPont Co.                                        "Kepolac" SSL-A                                                                            Nitrocellulose   Henkel                                                        (about 15% AI in mixed                                                                          Corp.                                                         solvent)                                                           Dow Corning #804                                                                           Silicone (60% AI in                                                                             Dow                                                           toluene)         Corning                                                                        Corp.                                             Dow Corning #840                                                                           Silicone (60% AI in                                                                             Dow                                                           toluene)         Corning                                                                        Corp.                                             ______________________________________                                          Note:                                                                          "AI" means "active ingredient".                                          

    Surfactants                                                                    Designation Composition      Source                                            ______________________________________                                         "Triton" X-15                                                                              Octylphenoxy     Rohm & Haas                                                   polyethoxy       Co.                                                           ethanol                                                            FC-430      Fluorosurfactant 3M Company                                        "Disperse-Ayd" 1                                                                           Proprietary      Daniel                                                                         Products Co.                                      "Disperse-Ayd" 6                                                                           Proprietary      Daniel                                                                         Products Co.                                      "Disperse-Ayd" 8                                                                           Proprietary      Daniel                                                                         Products Co.                                      " Disperse-Ayd" XL                                                                         Proprietary      Daniel                                            1/80                         Products Co.                                      ______________________________________                                    

The following tables are separated into two groups. The Paint Tables 1-15 show successful application to substrates of solvent-based aerosol paints which contain DME as solvent or solvent and propellant. The Solubility Tables 1-26 show the solubility of various paint resins when DME is present in the mixture. Both groups of tables use identified ingredients from the above listing of "Chemicals Used in Tests" with preparation and testing procedures as described in "Solubility Tests" and "Paint Tests." All weight percentages for the indicated ingredients are on an "as is" or "as purchased" basis as listed in "Chemicals Used in Tests" above.

                  PAINT TABLE 1                                                    ______________________________________                                         RED PAINT FORMULATIONS                                                                    Wt. %                                                               Formulation  1        2        3      4                                        ______________________________________                                         Organic Red Pigment                                                                         5.0      10.0     5.0    10.0                                     Styrene-modified                                                                            15.0     15.0     --     --                                       Alkyd Resin                                                                    Vinyl Toluene-                                                                              --       --       15.0   --                                       modified Alkyd Resin                                                           Acrylic-modified                                                                            --       --       --     15.0                                     Alkyd Resin                                                                    VM and P Naphtha                                                                            24.5     19.5     24.5   19.5                                     PGME         10.0     10.0     10.0   10.0                                     "Triton" X-15                                                                               0.5      0.5      0.5    0.5                                      DME          45.0     45.0     45.0   45.0                                     Vapor Pressure at                                                                           47       48       45     47                                       70° F. PSIG                                                             Appearance   Glossy,  Glossy,  Glossy,                                                                               Glossy,                                               quick    quick    quick  quick                                                 drying   drying,  drying drying,                                                        excellent       excellent                                                      hiding          coverage                                                       power                                                    ______________________________________                                    

                  PAINT TABLE 2                                                    ______________________________________                                         BLACK PAINT FORMULATIONS                                                                     Wt. %                                                            Formulation     1          2                                                   ______________________________________                                         Black Pigment   10.0       10.0                                                Styrene-modified                                                                               15.0       --                                                  Alkyd Resin                                                                    Vinyl Toluene-  --         15.0                                                modified Alkyd                                                                 Resin                                                                          VM and P Naphtha                                                                               19.5       19.5                                                PGME            10.0       10.0                                                "Triton" X-15    0.5        0.5                                                DME/A-70 (60/40)                                                                               45.0       45.0                                                Vapor Pressure at                                                                              53         52                                                  70° F. PSIG                                                             Appearance      Glossy,    Glossy,                                                             quick drying                                                                              quick drying                                        ______________________________________                                    

                  PAINT TABLE 3                                                    ______________________________________                                         YELLOW PAINT FORMULATION                                                                       Wt. %                                                          Formulation     1                                                              ______________________________________                                         Light Lemon Pigment                                                                            10.0                                                           Styrene-modified                                                                               15.0                                                           Alkyd Resin                                                                    VM and P Naphtha                                                                               24.5                                                           PGME            5.0                                                            "Triton" X-15   0.5                                                            DME             45.0                                                           Vapor Pressure at                                                                              50                                                             70° F. PSIG                                                             Appearance      Glossy, quick drying,                                                          excellent                                                                      hiding power                                                   ______________________________________                                    

                  PAINT TABLE 4                                                    ______________________________________                                         YELLOW PAINT FORMULATIONS                                                                 Wt. %                                                               Formulation  1          2         3                                            ______________________________________                                         Light Lemon Pigment                                                                         10.0       10.0      10.0                                         Vinyl Toluene-                                                                              15.0       15.0      15.0                                         modified Alkyd Resin                                                           VM and P Naphtha                                                                            34.5       34.5      34.5                                         PGME         10.0       10.0      10.0                                         "Triton" X-15                                                                                0.5        0.5       0.5                                         DME          30.0       --        --                                           FC-22/DME (40/60)                                                                           --         30.0      --                                           DME/A-70 (60/40)                                                                            --         --        30.0                                         Vapor Pressure at                                                                           36         30        40                                           70° F. PSIG                                                             Appearance   Glossy, quick drying, good hiding power                           ______________________________________                                    

                  PAINT TABLE 5                                                    ______________________________________                                         GREEN PAINT FORMULATIONS                                                                      Wt. %                                                           Formulation      1           2                                                 ______________________________________                                         Phthalo Green Pigment                                                                           10.0        10.0                                              Styrene-modified 15.0        --                                                Alkyd Resin                                                                    Vinyl Toluene-modified                                                                          --          15.0                                              Alkyd Resin                                                                    VM and P Naphtha 19.5        19.5                                              PGME             10.0        10.0                                              "Triton" X-15     0.5         0.5                                              FC-22/DME (40/60)                                                                               45.0        45.0                                              Vapor Pressure at                                                                               41          41                                                70° F. PSIG                                                             Appearance       Glossy,     Glossy,                                                            quick drying                                                                               quick drying                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  PAINT TABLE 6                                                    ______________________________________                                         PAINT FORMULATIONS                                                                       Wt. %                                                                Formulation 1      2       3    4     5    6                                   ______________________________________                                         White Pigment                                                                              10.0   --      --   10.0  --   --                                  Phthalo Green                                                                              --     10.0    --   --    10.0 --                                  Pigment                                                                        Phthalo Blue                                                                               --     --      10.0 --    --   10.0                                Pigment                                                                        Styrene-mod.                                                                               15.0   15.0    15.0 --    --   --                                  Alkyd Resin                                                                    Vinyl Toluene-                                                                             --     --      --   15.0  15.0 15.0                                modified                                                                       Alkyd Resin                                                                    VM and P    19.5   19.5    19.5 19.5  19.5 19.5                                Naphtha                                                                        PGME        10.0   10.0    10.0 10.0  10.0 10.0                                "Triton" X-15                                                                               0.5    0.5     0.5  0.5   0.5  0.5                                DME         45.0   45.0    45.0 45.0  45.0 45.0                                Vapor Pressure at                                                                          48     48      48   49    47   48                                  70° F. PSIG                                                             Appearance  All glossy, quick drying                                           ______________________________________                                    

                  PAINT TABLE 7                                                    ______________________________________                                         BLUE PAINT FORMULATION                                                                          Wt. %                                                         Formulation      1                                                             ______________________________________                                         Phthalo Blue Pigment                                                                            10.00                                                         Vinyl Toluene-modified                                                                          15.00                                                         Alkyd Resin                                                                    Methyl Chloroform                                                                               34.95                                                         FC-430            0.05                                                         DME              40.00                                                         Vapor Pressure at                                                                               40                                                            70° F. PSIG                                                             Appearance       Glossy, quick drying                                          ______________________________________                                    

                  PAINT TABLE 8                                                    ______________________________________                                         RED PAINT FORMULATIONS                                                                    Wt. %                                                               Formulation  1       2       3     4     5                                     ______________________________________                                         Organic Red  10.00   10.00   10.00 10.00 10.00                                 Pigment                                                                        Styrene-mod. 15.00   --      --    --    --                                    Alkyd Resin                                                                    Vinyl Toluene-                                                                              --      5.00    --    15.00 15.00                                 mod. alkyd                                                                     resin                                                                          Acrylic-mod. --      --      15.00 --    --                                    Alkyd Resin                                                                    PGME          5.00    5.00    5.00 --    --                                    Methyl       34.95   34.95   34.95 44.95 39.95                                 Chloroform                                                                     FC-430        0.05    0.05    0.05  0.05  0.05                                 DME          35.00   35.00   35.00 30.00 35.00                                 Vapor Pressure at                                                                           36      35      35    32    36                                    70° F. PSIG                                                             Appearance   High gloss, quick drying                                          ______________________________________                                    

                  PAINT TABLE 9                                                    ______________________________________                                         BLUE PAINT FORMULATIONS                                                                   Wt. %                                                               Formulation  1       2       3     4     5                                     ______________________________________                                         Phthalo Blue 10.00   10.00   10.00 10.00 10.00                                 Pigment                                                                        Styrene-mod. 15.00   --      --    --    --                                    Alkyd Resin                                                                    Vinyl Toluene-                                                                              --      15.00   --    15.00 15.00                                 mod. Alkyd                                                                     Resin                                                                          Acrylic-mod. --      --      15.00 --    --                                    Alkyd Resin                                                                    PGME          5.00    5.00    5.00 ----                                        Methyl       34.95   34.95   34.95 44.95 39.95                                 Chloroform                                                                     FC-430        0.05    0.05    0.05  0.05  0.05                                 DME          35.00   35.00   35.00 30.00 35.00                                 Vapor Pressure at                                                                           35      35      34    31    35                                    70° F. PSIG                                                             Appearance   High gloss, quick drying                                          ______________________________________                                    

                  PAINT TABLE 10                                                   ______________________________________                                         BLUE PAINT FORMULATIONS                                                                      Wt. %                                                            Formulation     1      2        3    4                                         ______________________________________                                         Phthalo Blue    10.0   10.0     10.0 10.0                                      Pigment                                                                        Vinyl Toluene-  15.0   15.0     15.0 15.0                                      mod. Alkyd Resin                                                               VM and P naphtha                                                                               19.5   19.5     19.5 19.5                                      PGME            10.0   10.0     10.0 10.0                                      "Disperse Ayd" #1                                                                               0.5   --       --   --                                        "Disperse Ayd" #6                                                                              --      0.5     --   --                                        "Disperse Ayd" #8                                                                              --     --        0.5 --                                        "Disperse Ayd"  --     --       --    0.5                                      XL-1/80                                                                        DME             45.0   45.0     45.0 45.0                                      Vapor Pressure at                                                                              42     41       41   41                                        70° F. PSIG                                                             Appearance      Glossy, quick drying                                           ______________________________________                                    

                  PAINT TABLE 11                                                   ______________________________________                                         PAINT FORMULATIONS                                                                          Wt. %                                                             Formulation    1           2      3                                            ______________________________________                                         Red Oxide Pigment                                                                             10.0        10.0   10.0                                         Silicone Resin*                                                                               12.5        --     12.5                                         Silicone Resin**                                                                              --          12.5   --                                           Methyl Chloroform                                                                             32.0        32.0   32.0                                         PGME           10.0        10.0   10.0                                         "Disperse Ayd" #1                                                                             0.5         0.5    0.5                                          DME            45.0        45.0   --                                           FC-22/DME (40/60)                                                                             --          --     35.0                                         Vapor Pressure at                                                                             37          38     32                                           70° F. PSIG                                                             Appearance     Glossy, quick drying                                            ______________________________________                                          *Dow Corning #804                                                              **Dow Corning #840                                                       

                  PAINT TABLE 12                                                   ______________________________________                                         BLUE PAINT FORMULATIONS                                                               Wt. %                                                                   Formulation                                                                             1      2      3    4    5    6    7    8                              ______________________________________                                         Phthalo Blue                                                                            10.0   10.0   10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0                           Pigment                                                                        Vinyl    15.0   15.0   15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0                           Toluene-                                                                       modified                                                                       Alkyd Resin                                                                    Methyl   29.5   29.5   29.5 29.5 29.5 29.5 29.5 29.5                           Chloroform                                                                     PGME     10.0   10.0   10.0 10.0 --   --   --   --                             DBE      --     --     --   --   10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0                           "Disperse                                                                               0.5    --     --   --   0.5  --   --   --                             Ayd" #1                                                                        "Disperse                                                                               --     0.5    --   --   --   0.5  --   --                             Ayd" #6                                                                        "Disperse                                                                               --     --     0.5  --   --   --   0.5  --                             Ayd" #8                                                                        "Disperse                                                                               --     --     --   0.5  --   --   --   0.5                            Ayd" XL-1/80                                                                   DME      35.0   35.0   35.0 35.0 35.0 35.0 35.0 35.0                           Vapor Press-                                                                            36     37     36   36   36   37   37   36                             ure at 70° F.                                                           PSIG                                                                           Appearance                                                                              High gloss, quick drying #1 to 4; slow                                         drying #5 to 8.                                                       ______________________________________                                    

                  PAINT TABLE 13                                                   ______________________________________                                         RED PAINT FORMULATIONS                                                                      Wt. %                                                             Formulation    1           2      3                                            ______________________________________                                         Organic Red Pigment                                                                           10.0        10.0   10.0                                         Acrylic Resin  15.0        15.0   15.0                                         VM and P Naphtha                                                                              29.5        --     --                                           PGME           10.0        10.0   --                                           Methyl Chloroform                                                                             --          29.5   39.5                                         "Disperse Ayd" #1                                                                             0.5         0.5    0.5                                          DME            35.0        35.0   35.0                                         Vapor Pressure at                                                                             36          37     36                                           70° F. PSIG                                                             Appearance     High gloss, quick drying                                        ______________________________________                                    

                  PAINT TABLE 14                                                   ______________________________________                                         PAINT FORMULATIONS                                                                           Wt. %                                                            Formulation     1           2                                                  ______________________________________                                         White Pigment   15.0        --                                                 Phthalo Green   --          5.0                                                Pigment                                                                        Acrylic Resin   7.5         7.5                                                Methyl Chloroform                                                                              32.0        42.0                                               PGME            10.0        10.0                                               "Disperse Ayd" #1                                                                              0.5         0.5                                                DME             35.0        35.0                                               Vapor Pressure at                                                                              36          36                                                 70° F., PSIG                                                            Appearance      Medium gloss,                                                                              High gloss,                                                        quick drying                                                                               quick drying                                       ______________________________________                                    

                  PAINT TABLE 15                                                   ______________________________________                                         WHITE PAINT FORMULATIONS                                                                  Wt. %                                                               Formulation  1       2         3     4                                         ______________________________________                                         White Pigment                                                                               15.0    15.0      15.0  15.0                                      Styrene-mod. 15.0    15.0      --    --                                        Alkyd Resin                                                                    Vinyl Toluene-                                                                              --      --        15.0  15.0                                      mod. Alkyd Resin                                                               VM & P Naphtha                                                                              --      24.5      --    24.5                                      Methyl Chloro-                                                                              24.5    --        24.5  --                                        form                                                                           PGME         10.0    10.0      10.0  10.0                                      "Disperse Ayd"                                                                              0.5     0.5       0.5   0.5                                       #1                                                                             DME          35.0    35.0      35.0  35.0                                      Vapor Pressure at                                                                           36      37        36    38                                        70° F., PSIG                                                            Appearance   Glossy, Very      Glossy,                                                                              Very                                                   quick   glossy,   quick glossy,                                                drying  quick     drying                                                                               quick                                                          drying          drying                                    ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     SOLUBILITY                                                                               Wt. %                                                                Formulation                                                                              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 11 12                                  __________________________________________________________________________     Styrene-modified                                                                         15.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              15.0                                                                              15.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              60.0                                Alkyd resin                                                                    VM and P naphtha                                                                         40.0                                                                              40.0                                                                              20.0                                                                              55.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              55.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              40.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              70.0                                                                              25.0                                                                              40.0                                Mineral spirits                                                                          -- -- 20.0                                                                              -- 25.0                                                                              -- 25.0                                                                              -- -- -- -- --                                  PGME      --  5.0                                                                               5.0                                                                               5.0                                                                               5.0                                                                              -- -- -- 10.0                                                                              -- -- --                                  PGMEA     -- -- -- -- --  5.0                                                                               5.0                                                                               5.0                                                                              -- -- -- --                                  DME       45.0                                                                              45.0                                                                              45.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              45.0                                                                              45.0                                                                              15.0                                                                              45.0                                                                              40.0                                Solubility                                                                               Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                __________________________________________________________________________

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 2                                               ______________________________________                                                       Wt. %                                                            Formulation     1      2        3    4                                         ______________________________________                                         Styrene-modified                                                                               5.0    10.0     10.0 15.0                                      alkyd resin                                                                    VM and P naphtha                                                                               40.0   40.0     40.0 30.0                                      PGME            --     5.0      --   10.0                                      PGMEA           --     --       5.0  --                                        FC-22/DME       45.0   45.0     45.0 45.0                                      (40/60)                                                                        Solubility      Sol.   Sol.     Sol. Sol.                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 3                                               ______________________________________                                                          Wt. %                                                         Formulation        1       2                                                   ______________________________________                                         Styrene-modified   15.0    15.0                                                alkyd resin                                                                    VM and P naphtha   40.0    30.0                                                PGME               --      10.0                                                DME/A-70           45.0    45.0                                                (60/40)                                                                        Solubility         Insol.  Sol.                                                ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________     SOLUBILITY                                                                               Wt. %                                                                Formulation                                                                              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 11 12                                  __________________________________________________________________________     Vinyl toluene-                                                                           15.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              15.0                                                                              15.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              60.0                                modified alkyd                                                                 resin                                                                          VM and P naphtha                                                                         40.0                                                                              40.0                                                                              20.0                                                                              55.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              55.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              40.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              70.0                                                                              25.0                                                                              --                                  Mineral spirits                                                                          -- -- 20.0                                                                              -- 25.0                                                                              -- 25.0                                                                              -- -- -- -- --                                  PGME      --  5.0                                                                               5.0                                                                               5.0                                                                               5.0                                                                              -- -- -- 10.0                                                                              -- -- --                                  PGMEA     -- -- -- -- --  5.0                                                                               5.0                                                                               5.0                                                                              -- -- -- --                                  DME       45.0                                                                              45.0                                                                              45.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              45.0                                                                              45.0                                                                              15.0                                                                              45.0                                                                              45.0                                Solubility                                                                               Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                                                              Sol.                                __________________________________________________________________________

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 5                                               ______________________________________                                                      Wt. %                                                             Formulation    1           2      3                                            ______________________________________                                         Vinyl toluene- 15.0        10.0   10.0                                         modified alkyd resin                                                           VM and P naphtha                                                                              40.0        40.0   40.0                                         PGME           --          5.0    --                                           PGMEA          --          --     5.0                                          FC-22/DME      45.0        45.0   45.0                                         (40/60)                                                                        Solubility     Sol.        Sol.   Sol.                                         ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 6                                               ______________________________________                                                           Wt. %                                                        Formulation         1      2                                                   ______________________________________                                         Vinyl toluene-      15.0   15.0                                                modified alkyd                                                                 resin                                                                          VM and P naphtha    40.0   30.0                                                PGME                --     10.0                                                DME/A-70            45.0   45.0                                                (60/40)                                                                        Solubility          Sol.   Sol.                                                ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 7                                               ______________________________________                                                    Wt. %                                                               Formulation  1      2      3     4     5    6                                  ______________________________________                                         Acrylic-modified                                                                            15.0   10.0   15.0  15.0  30.0 60.0                               alkyd resin                                                                    VM and P naphtha                                                                            40.0   40.0   70.0  60.0  25.0 --                                 PGME         --     5.0    --    --    --   --                                 DME          45.0   45.0   15.0  25.0  45.0 40.0                               Solubility   Sol.   Sol.   Insol.                                                                               Insol.                                                                               Sol. Sol.                               ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 8                                               ______________________________________                                                           Wt. %                                                        Formulation         1      2                                                   ______________________________________                                         Acrylic-modified    10.0   10.0                                                alkyd resin                                                                    VM and P naphtha    40.0   40.0                                                PGME                --     5.0                                                 FC-22/DME           45.0   45.0                                                (40/60)                                                                        Solubility          Sol.   Sol.                                                ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 9                                               ______________________________________                                                          Wt. %                                                         Formulation        1       2                                                   ______________________________________                                         Acrylic-modified   15.0    15.0                                                alkyd resin                                                                    VM and P naphtha   40.0    30.0                                                PGME               --      10.0                                                DME/A-70           45.0    45.0                                                (60/40)                                                                        Solubility         Insol.  Insol.                                         

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 10                                              ______________________________________                                                    Wt. %                                                               Formulation  1      2      3     4    5    6                                   ______________________________________                                         Phenol-      15.0   10.0   15.0  15.0 30.0 60.0                                formaldehyde/                                                                  rosin-modified                                                                 alkyd resin                                                                    VM and P naphtha                                                                            40.0   40.0   30.0  70.0 25.0 --                                  PGME         --     5.0    10.0  --   --   --                                  DME          45.0   45.0   45.0  15.0 45.0 40.0                                Solubility   Sol.   Sol.   Sol.  Sol. Sol. Sol.                                ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 11                                              ______________________________________                                                           Wt. %                                                        Formulation         1      2                                                   ______________________________________                                         Phenol-             15.0   10.0                                                formaldehyde/                                                                  rosin-modified                                                                 alkyd resin                                                                    VM and P naphtha    40.0   40.0                                                PGME                --      5.0                                                FC-22/DME           45.0   45.0                                                (40/60)                                                                        Solubility          Sol.   Sol.                                                ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 12                                              ______________________________________                                                          Wt. %                                                         Formulation        1       2                                                   ______________________________________                                         Phenol-            15.0    15.0                                                formaldehyde/                                                                  rosin-modified                                                                 alkyd resin                                                                    VM and P naphtha   40.0    30.0                                                PGME               --      10.0                                                DME/A-70           45.0    45.0                                                (60/40)                                                                        Solubility         Insol.  Sol.                                                ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 13                                              ______________________________________                                                      Wt. %                                                             Formulation    1      2         3    4                                         ______________________________________                                         Chain-stopped  15.0   30.0      60.0 15.0                                      alkyd resin                                                                    VM and P naphtha                                                                              30.0   --        --   --                                        PGME           10.0   --        --   10.0                                      Methyl chloroform                                                                             --     --        --   40.0                                      DME            45.0   70.0      40.0 35.0                                      Solubility     Sol.   Sol.      Sol. Sol.                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 14                                              ______________________________________                                                   Wt. %                                                                Formulation 1        2      3      4    5                                      ______________________________________                                         Short-oil   15.0     10.0   15.0   30.0 60.0                                   alkyd resin                                                                    VM and P naphtha                                                                           40.0     40.0   70.0   25.0 --                                     PGME        --        5.0   --     --   --                                     DME         45.0     45.0   15.0   45.0 40.0                                   Solubility  Sol.     Sol.   Sol.   Sol. Sol.                                   ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 15                                              ______________________________________                                                           Wt. %                                                        Formulation         1      2                                                   ______________________________________                                         Short-oil           15.0   10.0                                                alkyd resin                                                                    VM and P naphtha    40.0   40.0                                                PGME                --      5.0                                                FC-22/DME           45.0   45.0                                                (40/60)                                                                        Solubility          Sol.   Sol.                                                ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 16                                              ______________________________________                                                           Wt. %                                                        Formulation         1      2                                                   ______________________________________                                         Short-oil           15.0   15.0                                                alkyd resin                                                                    VM and P naphtha    40.0   30.0                                                PGME                --     10.0                                                DME/A-70            45.0   45.0                                                (60/40)                                                                        Solubility          Sol.   Sol.                                                ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 17                                              ______________________________________                                                   Wt. %                                                                Formulation 1      2      3     4     5     6                                  ______________________________________                                         Acrylic resin                                                                              15.0   15.0   15.0  15.0  15.0  30.0                               VM and P naphtha                                                                           40.0   45.0   30.0  70.0  60.0  --                                 PGME        --     10.0   10.0  --    --    --                                 DME         45.0   30.0   45.0  15.0  25.0  70.0                               Solubility  Sol.   Sol.   Sol.  Insol.                                                                               Insol.                                                                               Sol.                               ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 18                                              ______________________________________                                                      Wt. %                                                             Formulation    1           2      3                                            ______________________________________                                         Acrylic resin  15.0        15.0   15.0                                         VM and P naphtha                                                                              40.0        45.0   30.0                                         PGME           --          10.0   10.0                                         FC-22/DME      45.0        30.0   45.0                                         (40/60)                                                                        Solubility     Sol.        Sol.   Sol.                                         ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 19                                              ______________________________________                                                     Wt. %                                                              Formulation   1           2       3                                            ______________________________________                                         Acrylic resin 15.0        15.0    15.0                                         VM and P naphtha                                                                             40.0        45.0    30.0                                         PGME          --          10.0    10.0                                         DME/A-70      45.0        30.0    45.0                                         (60/40)                                                                        Solubility    Insol.      Insol.  Sol.                                         ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 20                                              ______________________________________                                                      Wt. %                                                             Formulation    1      2         3    4                                         ______________________________________                                         Silicone-modified                                                                             15.0   30.0      60.0 15.0                                      alkyd resin                                                                    VM and P naphtha                                                                              30.0   --        --   --                                        PGME           10.0   --        --   10.0                                      Methyl chloroform                                                                             --     --        --   40.0                                      DME            45.0   70.0      40.0 35.0                                      Solubility     Sol.   Sol.      Sol. Sol.                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 21                                              ______________________________________                                                   Wt. %                                                                Formulation 1      2       3    4      5    6                                  ______________________________________                                         Vinyl toluene-                                                                             16.7   16.7    16.7 16.7   16.7 16.7                               modified alkyd                                                                 resin                                                                          VM and P naphtha                                                                           13.3   13.3    13.3 --     --   --                                 Methyl chloroform                                                                          20.0   30.0    40.0 43.3   53.3 48.3                               DME         50.0   40.0    30.0 40.0   30.0 35.0                               Solubility  Sol.   Sol.    Sol. Sol.   Sol. Sol.                               ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 22                                              ______________________________________                                                      Wt. %                                                             Formulation    1      2         3    4                                         ______________________________________                                         Vinyl toluene- 16.7   16.7      16.7 16.7                                      modified alkyd                                                                 resin                                                                          VM and P naphtha                                                                              13.3   13.3      13.3 --                                        Methyl chloroform                                                                             20.0   30.0      40.0 43.3                                      FC-22/DME      50.0   40.0      30.0 40.0                                      (40/60)                                                                        Solubility     Sol.   Sol.      Sol. Sol.                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 23                                              ______________________________________                                                      Wt. %                                                             Formulation    1           2      3                                            ______________________________________                                         Acrylic resin  15.0        15.0   15.0                                         VM and P naphtha                                                                              --          10.0   --                                           PGME           --          --     10.0                                         Methyl chloroform                                                                             50.0        40.0   40.0                                         DME            35.0        35.0   35.0                                         Solubility     Sol.        Sol.   Sol.                                         ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 24                                              ______________________________________                                                      Wt. %                                                             Formulation    1           2      3                                            ______________________________________                                         Acrylic resin  15.0        15.0   15.0                                         VM and P naphtha                                                                              --          10.0   --                                           PGME           --          --     10.0                                         Methyl chloroform                                                                             50.0        40.0   40.0                                         FC-22/DME      35.0        35.0   35.0                                         (40/60)                                                                        Solubility     Sol.        Sol.   Sol.                                         ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 25                                              ______________________________________                                                            Wt. %                                                       Formulation       1                                                            ______________________________________                                         Nitrocellulose resin                                                                             55.0                                                         DME               45.0                                                         Solubility        Sol.                                                         ______________________________________                                    

                  SOLUBILITY TABLE 26                                              ______________________________________                                                      Wt. %                                                             Formulation    1      2         3    4                                         ______________________________________                                         Dow Corning #804                                                                              15.0   60.0      --   --                                        Dow Corning #840                                                                              --     --        15.0 60.0                                      VM and P naphtha                                                                              40.0   --        40.0 --                                        DME            45.0   40.0      45.0 40.0                                      Solubility     Sol.   Sol.      Sol. Sol.                                      ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. A solvent-based aerosol paint in an aerosol dispensing container comprising(a) an effective amount of dimethyl ether as solvent or solvent and propellant and, (b) a non-aqueous paint resin formulation which contains a paint resin and a coalescing solvent, said paint resin selected from the group consisting of styrene-modified alkyd resins, vinyl toluene-modified alkyd resins, acrylic-modified alkyd resins, phenol-formaldehyde/rosin-modified alkyd resins, silicone-modified alkyd resins, short-oil and oil-free alkyd resins, chain-stopped alkyd resins, nitrocellulose resins, silicone resins and acrylic resins, said acrylic resins containing at least some alkyl groups with less than four carbon atoms, said paint resin capable of being sprayed satisfactorily from an aerosol can and which upon drying provides a flexible, durable, non-tacky film.
 2. The solvent-based aerosol paint of claim 1 further comprising difluorochloromethane as a propellant in admixture with dimethyl ether.
 3. The solvent-based aerosol paint of claim 1 further comprising a blend of low-molecular weight hydrocarbons as propellant in admixture with dimethyl ether.
 4. The solvent-based aerosol paint of claim 1 wherein the dimethyl ether is present in an amount between about 10 and 60 percent of the weight of the total solvent-based aerosol paint.
 5. The solvent-based aerosol paint of claim 2 wherein the admixture of dimethyl ether and difluorochloromethane is an azeotrope containing 60 wt. percent DME and 40 wt. percent difluorochloromethane and the azeotrope of dimethyl ether and difluorochloromethane is present in an amount between about 10 and 60 wt. percent of the total solvent-based aerosol paint.
 6. The solvent-based aerosol paint of claim 3 wherein the admixture of dimethyl ether and the blend of low-molecular weight hydrocarbons is present in an amount between about 10 and 60 wt. percent of the total solvent-based aerosol paint.
 7. The solvent-based aerosol paint of claim 1 further comprising methyl chloroform in admixture with dimethyl ether.
 8. The solvent-based aerosol paint of claim 1 further comprising a mixture of dimethyl adipate, glutarate and succinate in admixture with dimethyl ether.
 9. The solvent-based aerosol paint of claim 1 further comprising about 10-60 wt. percent dimethyl ether and about 90-40 wt. percent of the non-aqueous paint resin formulation.
 10. The solvent-based aerosol paint of claim 1 further comprising about 15-45 wt. percent dimethyl ether and about 85-55 wt. percent of the non-aqueous paint resin formulation.
 11. The solvent-based aerosol paint of claim 1 further comprising about 25-45 wt. percent dimethyl ether and about 75-55 wt. percent of the non-aqueous paint resin formulation.
 12. The solvent-based aerosol paint of claim 1 further comprising about 10-60 wt. percent of an admixture of dimethyl ether and difluorochloromethane and about 90-40 wt. percent of the non-aqueous paint resin formulation.
 13. The solvent-based aerosol paint of claim 1 further comprising about 10-60 wt. percent of an admixture of DME and a blend of low-molecular weight hydrocarbons and about 90-40 wt. percent of the non-aqueous paint resin formulation. 